No One Ever Says This!

My daughter drew this years ago!

Here’s the gospel truth: You will never regret spending time in the Bible. At the end of the day, no one says, “UGH! I wish I had not read the Bible today!” God has promised deep fulfillment as we seek Him through His word. We cannot know Him without reading His words to us. We can listen to worship music and spout other people’s spiritual opinions, but it’s ONLY God’s word that brings true life change. We have to handle His word ourselves. James 4:8 promises a response from the King, “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” God is so good to offer us wisdom in His Word.

As growing believers, we are enabled to respond to His command to know Him through His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) There is only one living document that continually breathes life-God’s word. How many times have we studied a passage we are familiar with and said “What?! I never saw that!” Hebrew 4:12 brings us the reason-this thing is alive and powerful and pierces us to the core! There is something joyously comforting and a little frightening in this. It’s because we are known by the Great One Who Is. That’s enough of a reason to give God’s word time and attention.

Need a few ideas? We all like easy..so get a Bible, get a pen, and get some paper. Write down what you read and learn to ask ,“WHAT DOES THIS SAY?” (Observe), “WHY IS THIS WRITTEN?” (Interpret) and “HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?” (Application) Ask God to help you set aside 10 minutes a day to pray, read, and write. Nothing in your life will impact your character and sharpen your vision like listening to the God who speaks to His people. The gift of His word is personal at every stage in life and nourishing for souls who live for the unseen Kingdom. Lean in and listen to the One who knows you best and loves you most.

 

Are you ready for a miracle? The Book of John

What does “miracle” mean? What can the book of John teach us here? Everything ! For me, this book is my foundation. The 7 Miracles of Christ and the 7 Names of Christ given are what makes Christianity completely different than any other faith.  Miracles are “intended to “ENGENDER BELIEF” (Thomas Nelson Study Bible commentary) Doesn’t it fit with the FACT that the word “BELIEVE” (in the Greek “pisteuo”) occurs 90 times in this Gospel?!

I. DEFINE MIRACLE -” A miracle can be defined as an act Jesus Christ performed while on earth to confirm his Deity.  In addition, the apostles performed “signs” to attest to their divine  authority from God. This was the initial building of the early church. Yet, we all use the phrase “It’s a miracle!” when we get a parking place , a  free coffee, or pass Algebra.   Are there 2 types of miracle?  If we define a miracle as “only the things Jesus performed on earth to validate His identity” This is different than the miracles we ask for.   If we are thinking of the context of Christ’s visit , then a miracle is the supernatural power of God entering the natural world of mankind. Jesus is alive & His miracles exhibited His  Messianic title. It would seem that this kind of miracle is finished because Jesus said “It is finished!” 

 What now?  Can’t we get some miracles too, today?  Yes! God is unhindered by anything! He loves it when His kids ask Him for something because He is a good father.  Our role is ask & pray, ask & pray, ask & pray. He may “Yes!”or He may say “no”. Yet, we keep knocking! Sometimes the “miracle” we think we want could actually hurt us and He is acting as Protector. He has a huge plan perfectly synched and can see all things throughout all time. Yet, maybe He wants to give us a miracle to demonstrate His power and increase our faith. Maybe He wants to say “yes!” 

II. JESUS’S Miracles in John

  • TURNING WATER TO WINE
  • HEALING THE OFFICIAL’S SON
  • HEALING THE LAME MAN
  • FEEDING THE 5,000
  • WALKING ON WATER
  • HEALING THE BLIND MAN
  • RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD

III.   What can we learn?

  • Miracle #1 Ch.2:1-11 Turning Water to Wine-Jesus’ power over natural objects-He is Creator.
  • MIRACLE #2. Ch. 4:46-54 Healing the Official’s Son-Jesus’ power over death (and the fact the boy from a distance!) show He is not contained by space.
  • Miracle #3Ch.5:8 Healing the Lame Man (on the Sabbath!). Our lessons here are “Jesus is LORD over the Sabbath”, that He can heal, and that we are to rejoice in His healing!
  • Miracle #4Ch.6:1-15 Feeding the 5,000! The truth to learn here is only GOD can create. I always love to imagine the little boy who shared his lunch…he must have been proud that Master Jesus used his little gift to feed thousands!
  • Miracle#5 Ch. 6:16-21 Jesus walking on the water must have shocked the disciples. Lesson here? He has complete control over nature….and consequently, my life!
  • Miracle#6 Ch.9:38 A man, blind, ALL his life and Jesus gives him the glorious gift of sight. Perhaps the first face he saw was Christ’s! I love the man’s defense of Jesus and the way He worshipped Him.
  • Miracle #7Ch. 11:1-25 Raising of Lazarus. Unquestionably, my favorite miracle of all time! The final miracle proves HIS power to raise the dead and that He will raise us someday too because we “have believed in Him WHOM He has sent”!

Learn the ways of Christ & study how He performs the impossible in human life. Ask for your miracles-but always after thanking Him for His!

The Word is meant to be your best meal

Nearly 25 years ago, I reported to my CRU assignment of Texas A&M. Staff friends told me to “check out Grace Bible Church “. I’d never attended a “bible” church but through the course of my 23 years as a member, I’ve learned to view the Word as my soul’s true food designed to fill me for a lifetime! I can’t help but think of the original members 50 years ago who followed God in sacrifice & humility so I (& multiple generations!) could have a place to grow in His Word & then turn & hand this satisfying Bread of Life to a hungry world. @gracebible #GraceBibleChurchBibleStudies #freedownload@gracecollegelife @gracebcyouth @gracecollegesw #Anderson #Southwood#Creekside